Cover for boats



Nov. 16 1926.

E. E. VON TELL COVER FOR BOATS Filed Nov. 17 1925 4 SheetsSheet l q Ira M; ,E'dww'd Ela'w Von Teu- Azz-arm Nov. 16, 1926.

- 1,607,494 E. E. .voN TELL COVER'FOR nous Filed Nov. 1'7, 1925 -4 Sheefs-Sheet 2 S, v as l i' fila.

E. E. VON TELL covaa FOR BOATS Fil ed Nov. 17, 1925 Nov. 16 1926.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 16, 1926.

EDWARD ELIAS VON TELL,

PATENT orF cE.

on so'r'rnnnons, SWEDEN.

COVER FOR BOATS.

Application filed November 17, 1925. Serial No.

This invention relates to covers for boats, and has for its object to provide an improved arrangement for supporting and securing covers of this kind in operative position designed to enable the cover to be promptly removed from its position over the boat in emergencies.

The invention is articular-1y applicable to life-boats, especiall but not exclusively, to those carried by ocean-going or coastal vessels carrying passengers.

In such vessels the arrangement for cov ering the lifeboats universally employed at the present time consists in a rigid bar, pole,

' or the like which may be of metal or wood,

forming a ridge arranged longitudinally over the centre line of the boat and supported at each end in a bifurcated stanchion or fork fixed in a vertical position, one at the bow and another at the stern. The actual cover is passed over this ridge, or pole, and is made fast at each side by means of lashings to a series of bollards'or the like fixed on the outside of the gunwalesof the lifeboat. WVith this arrangement of boat cover it has often been found in emergencies, when every second counts when saving life, that time is lost in launching lifeboats owing to the necessity of unshipping-the ridge pole and untying the lashings which secure the boat covers in normal position thereon.

The improved cover for boat and arrangement for securing and releasing the same according to my present invention, comprises a collapsible ridge, which may consist of a flexible wire, rope or the like, adapted to be stretched longitudinally over the centre line of the boat to support a foldable cover of any suitable material, such for example as canvas, and meansfor securing and stretching or lifting the collapsible ridge in supporting position over the boat and the cover in position over the ridge, in such a manner that at least one end of the ridge can readily be detached from a suitable support to allow the whole ridge and cover thereon to in stantly collapse, whereupon the ridge and cover together can be folded back clear of the boat without the necessity of unshipping or releasing any other part,-oruntying any knot, so that the boat is at once available for use.

In order that the nature of the invention 68,63G, and in Great Britain November 20, 1924.

may be clearly understood constructional examples of the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a boat provided with a cover and an arrangement for normally securing the cover in position according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan under-side view of the cover shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of some of the important parts of the arrangement for supporting the flexible ridge and the boats cover, as seen at the left hand end of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the bifurcated stanchion fixed to the stem of the boat, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the arrangement for supporting the right hand end of the flexible ridge as seen in Fig. 1;

Fi 's. 6 and 7 are sectional views of the boat's cover shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the longitudinal slot on the underside of the same;

Figs. 6 and 7 are similar views showing the longitudinal slot on the underside of the cover according to a slightly modified arrangement Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a boat and cover similar to those shown in Fig. 1 and a modified arrangement for normally securing the cover in position;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged side elevation, and Fig. 10 is a plan, of the important parts of the arrangement for supporting the flexible ridge, as seen at the left hand end of Fig. 8; V

Fig. 11 is an enlarged side elevation of the arrangement for supporting the right hand end of the flexible ridge as seen in Fig. 8;

Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate details of the arrangement shown in Figs. 9 and 10;

Fig. 14 illustrates a suitable form of cleat for attachment to the gunwale of the boat in connection with this invention;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation, and Fig. 16 is a plan, of the important parts of the arrangement for the supporting and stretching of the flexible ridge according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5, the col lapsible ridge is shown in the form of aflexible steel wire 1 terminating at the left hand end in a metal eye 2, and at the right hand in a similar eye 3. A brass screw 4-, preferably square threaded, is connected to the eye 2 on the end of the flexible steel wire 1, the said screw being provided at the smooth end with a ring or eye 5 which engages with the said eye 2. As shown in Fig. 3 an eye handle 6 is secured, for instance by welding, to one side of the eye 5 of the screw A, in order to facilitate the handling of the screw and to prevent the same from twisting when placed under tension.

The screw 1, in the normal position of the boats cover, rests in a bifurcated stanchion 7 fixed to the forward or after stem of the boat. The stanchion '4' may suitably be formed by a galvanized wrought iron bracket wnich is provided with holes 8 (Fig. 4) to enable the bracket to be fitted to the extreme end of the boats stem, while the limbs of the upper bifurcated portion are bent over and lined upon the upper surface of the stern as shown at 9 in Fig. 3. ()n the free end of the screw t, projecting beyond the bifurcated stanchion 7, engages a fly nut 10 the boss of which is internally screwtapped to correspond with the external thread of the screw t and is provided with handles 11 to facilitate the handl ng of the apparatus. Preferably the boss of the fly nut 10 is chamfered on as shown to engage with a correspondingly counter-sunk portion on the stanchion 7 as shown in Fig. 4:.

The eye 3 on the right hand end of the flexible steel wire 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, is secured to a slip-hook 12 which is pivoted at 13 to the bracket 1 L secured on the after stem 15 of the boat. The slip-hook is normally retained in the position shown in the drawings by means of a U-shaped shackle 16 the arms of which are secured by a pin 17 passing through a slot 18 in the upper part of the bracket 14, the shackle being ,passed forward into such a position that the pin 17 abuts against the front end of the slot 18 and over the tail piece 19 of the slip-hook 12, while the shackle itself is swung over the slip-hook. It will be seen that by swinging the shackle 16 to the right (as shown in Fig. 5) the slip-hook 12 is released and by pul ing the shackle to the right so that the pin 17 disengages from the tail piece 1'9 the slip-hook is then allowed to swing to the left on its pivot 13 so as to release the eye 3 on the end of the flexible steel wire 1, thus allowing the said wire together with the boats cover to collapse Referring more particularly to Fig. 2 th cover proper 20 of the boat is preferably made of canvas or any other suitable material, and may be cut to the usual somewhat elliptical outline shown in this figure.

The ends of the cover are preferably slit to form two flaps 21 and 22 at the left hand end and 23, 2% at the opposite end. A canvas or the like strip 25 is sewn to the underside of the cover and along the central line of the same, to form a slot as shown in cross section in Fig. 6 and 6 through which slot the flexible steel wire 1 is passed. The flexible steel wire may be lightly secured to the said slot by stitching as shown in Figs. 7 and 7 so as to enable the same to move with the cov r. The outer edge of the cover 20 is thickened as shown and the thickened part is pierced with a series of holes 26 preferably eyeleted with brass to receive the lashir 27 shown in Fig. 1, the bights of the lay ring between the said holes being secured under brass cleats 28.

In the arrangement shown a separate lash ing 27 is used on each side of the boat, being made fast by belaying at each end in any suitable manner. By this arrangement it will be seen that the use of knots is entirely avoided in securing the cover in its normal position. A suitable form of cleat 28 is shown in i 1a in which the cleat projects downwardly from a strong plate 29 cast in one therewith and which is secured under the wooden moulding 30 of the boat, for example by means of screws 31.

When it is required to launch the boat, the flexible steel wire 1 is first slacked up slightly by rotating the nut 10 by means of the handles 11. The screw 4 now can be lifted out of the bifurcated stanchion 7 and can be thrown into the body of the boat, whereupon the steel wire together with the cover 20 collapses into the boat while at the same time the lashings 27 fall clear of the cleats 28 and all parts constituting the cover and securing the apparatus can be folded back clear of the boat, or, if desired, they may be left at the bottom of the boat which is not available for launching.

In addition to, or instead of, casting loose the flexible wire rope 1 in the manner above described, this may also be effected by knocking the U-shaped shackle 16 on the slip-hook 12 at the other end of the boat and forcing back the said shackle to allow the pin 17 of the same to clear the tail piece 19 of the slip-hook, thereby enabling the slip-hook to rotate to the left as seen in Fig. 5, to allow the eye 3 on the corresponding end of the flexible steel wire 1 to escape and the whole of the parts dependent thereon to collapse in the manner as already described.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 13, a modified arrangement is shown herein for normally securing the boats cover in position and enabling the same to be instantly released when required. In this arrangement the flexible steel wire 1 is secured at one end, for example, at the left hand end as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, to a turnbuckle 32 the free end of which has a ring or eye 33 passing over the straight side 34 of a slip link 35. The slip link is suitably form'ed'so as to readily pass over the stem 36 of the'boat'in which position the slip link is secured by means of a locking pin 37' passing through a hole 38 provided for the purpose in the boats stem 36.

To further secure the slip link 36 in its normal position a preventing link 39 may be employed. This preventing link is prefer ably of a triangular form as shown in Fig. 13, one angle of the same being secured in an eye or ring 40 fixed to the inner face of the boats stem 36 (see Figs. 9 and while the side 41 of the link opposite the said angle passes over the slip link adjacent to the eye 33 of the turnbuckle 32.

The opposite end of the flexible steel wire 1 may, in this form, terminate ina large elliptical eye 42 adapted to pass over the after stem 43 of the boat, in which position the said eye may besecured by means of a preventing bolt 44.

In the operation of this form the locking pin 37 is pulled out of the hole 38 whereupon the slip link can easily be knocked upwardly to disengage from the boats stem 36 to allow the connected parts to collapse as described above. To facilitate this operation, however, the turnbuckle may first, of course, be somewhat slacked up but this will not always be necessary. The function of the turnbuckle is to enable the collapsible ridge to be placed in normal position easily by lengthening the same and after it is in position to tighten the same up as is clescribed in connection with the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 by means of the screw 4 and the fly nut 10.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 15 and 16 differs from that one just described sub stantially only as regards the connection of the turnbuckle 32 with the forward or after stem of the boat. The ring or eye 33 of the turnbuckle engages a slip-hook 45 which by a ring 46 is connected with one end of an oblong link 47 the opposite end of which is connected with an eye 49 projecting from a plate 48. This plate is by means of a screw-bolt 50 attached to the forward or after stem of the boat. The outer end of the hook 45 and one side piece of the link 47 engages with a ring 51 which, when the cover is to be removed, is pulled along the link 47 so as to disengage from the hook 45. If required, before that. the turnbuckle 32, which serves to stretch or lift the flexible ridge 1 together with the canvas 20, may be unscrewed in requisite degree. This turnbuckle, the nut of which in this case is made as a full socket, may be provided with a handle 52 in order to facilitate the rotation thereof. In this embodiment one end of the flexible steel wire 1 Will be located at the side of the centre line of the boat-in order that the wire or the stretching device may not lie in contact with the tackles of the boat.

WVhat I claim is 1. In covers for boats, a flexible ridge adapted to carry a foldable cover, sup porting means adapted to support the ends of the ridge at each end of the boat, operating means at one end of said flexible ridge adapted to stretch the ridge substantially longitudinally over the center line of the boat, an adjustable connection interposed between the adjacent end of said flexible ridge and said operating means, such operating means being accessible from the outside of the boat adjacent to one end thereof for securing and releasing the ridge and the cover. e

2. In covers for boats, a feXible ridge adapted to carry a foldable cover, supporting means adapted to support the ends of the ridge at each end of the boat, a.turn-- buckle comprising a nut and two eye-bolts engaging with opposite ends of the nut, one of said eye-bolts connected tothe one end of the ridge and the other eye-bolt adapted to be connected to the supporting means on the adjacent end of the boat.

3. In covers for boats, a flexible ridge adapted to carry a foldable cover, su porting means adapted to support the en s of the ridge at each end of the boat, a turnbuckle adapted to stretch the ridge substantially longitudinally over the center line of the boat, said turnbuckle connected with its one end with the one end of the ridge, a slip-hook adapted to detachably connect the other end of the turnbuckle with the su porting means on the adjacent end of tl fe boat.

4. In covers for boats, a foldable cover, a flexible ridge adapted to carry said cover, a slot along the center line of the cover adapted to receive the ridge, supporting means adapted to support the ends of the ridge at each end of the boat, and means adapted to be operable from the outside of the boat for securing and releasing the ridge and cover.

5. In covers for boats, a foldable cover, a flexible wire rope adapted to constitute a ridge to carry said cover, a slot formed by a .strip on the under side of the cover extending along the center line of the same adapted to receive said flexible wire rope, supporting means adapted to support the ends of the ridge at each end of the boat,

and means adapted to be operable from the outside of the boat for securing and releasing the ridge and cover.

6. In covers for boats, a foldable cover, a flexible wire rope adapted to constitute a ridge to carry said cover, a strip'stitched to the underside of the cover longitudinally along the center line of the cover so as to form a slot receiving the wire rope, said wire rope stitched to said strip'so as to move with the cover, supporting means adapted to support the ridge at each end of the boat, and means adapted to be operable from the outside of the boat for securing and releasing the ridge and cover.

7. In covers for boats, a flexible wire rope adapted to constitute a ridge to carry a fold able cover, supporting means for said ridge at each end of the boat, operating means at one end of the flexible ridge adjacent to the end of the boat adapted to stretch the ridge substantially longitudinally over the center line of the boat, said operating means adapted to be accessible from the outside of the boat for securing and releasing the ridge and cover, and means for detachably securing the side edges of the cover to the sides of the boat, said means comprising lashings engaging with the edges of the cover and downwardly projecting cleats on the sides of the boat adapted to engage bights of the lashings, whereby upon releasing of the ridge the lashings will automatically disengage from the cleatsv and the cover will collapse in the boat.

8. A cover for boats comprising in combination a flexible ridge adapted to carry a foldable cover, detachable fastening means carried by the opposite ends of the boat, means for connecting one end of said ridge to one of said detachable fastening means and adjustable means for connecting the opposite end of said ridge to the other of said detachable fastening means.

9. A cover for boats comprising in combination a flexible wire rope adapted to carry a cover quick detachable fastening means carried by the opposite ends of the boat, one end of said wire rope being connectcd to one of said quick detachable fastening means, an adjustable member connected to the other of said quick detachable fastening means and the opposite end of said Wire rope being connected to said adjustable member whereby the same may be ad justed longitudinally of the boat such as and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

EDVARD ELIAS VON TELL. 

